Therapy dog training involves preparing a dog to be a comfort animal and provide emotional support to people in hospitals, nursing homes, schools, and other settings. The primary goal of therapy dog training is to make sure that the dog is well-behaved, friendly, and confident in new environments and around different people.
To become a therapy dog, the dog must pass a temperament test to ensure that it is well-behaved and friendly, as well as complete obedience training. Additionally, the handler must also be trained on how to handle the therapy dog in different environments. The dog should be able to perform basic obedience commands, be comfortable with handling and grooming, and be able to handle new surroundings and people.
It is important to note that therapy dog training is different from service dog training, as therapy dogs do not perform specific tasks for individuals with disabilities. Instead, therapy dogs are trained to provide comfort and emotional support to a wide range of people.
If you’re interested in therapy dog training in the South Florida area, contact me Tom Savoca and I can help put you on the right path.
Next it’s recommended to start by finding a reputable training center or program in your area. You can also consider certification organizations like Therapy Dogs International (TDI) or Alliance of Therapy Dogs (ATD) to ensure that your therapy dog training meets the highest standards.